1% Sales Tax Information

The City of Gillette, Campbell County and the Town of Wright hosted 1% Sales Tax Educational and Listening Sessions. The sessions were an opportunity for the residents of Gillette and Campbell County to learn how 1% Sales Tax Dollars are used to benefit our community and to offer comments on how they view the tax.

The public votes on the 1% sales tax every four years and several months prior to the election, a survey is distributed that asks the public to determine the projects the public has set as priorities.

The City of Gillette uses its share of the 1% sales tax for the capital construction of roads, water, and sewer lines, as well as infrastructure, such as drainage improvements, Fishing Lake improvements, the wastewater treatment facility, parks, pathways, and much more. The Optional 1% Tax also supports local social service agencies.

From 1985 through 2017 the total amount received through 1% is $338,678,000. From 2007 through 2017, the total amount received was $221,442,000.00. Of those funds, approximately $11,000,000 went to social service agencies.

The graph below illustrates the importance of the Optional 1% to keep Utility Rates low. The orange line illustrates the proposed rate increases over the next 5 years for the Wastewater (Sanitary Sewer) Fund. In Fiscal Year 2023, it is projected the typical customer will pay $31.03 per month. This assumes 5.8% increases for the next 4 years.
The red line projects what will happen if the Optional 1% is not available. Rates will need to increase 35% for three years. Over the same time period, a typical customer will pay $57.60 per month for sanitary sewer.

Campbell County utilizes the 1% sales tax for youth and senior citizen programs, county roads, emergency & safety equipment and social service agencies. The Town of Wright uses its share of the 1% sales tax for capital construction, infrastructure, and operations.

Remember: when you see a penny power sign, your tax dollars are at work.